Switch fitting



Sept. 22, 192".

Filed Jan. '7, 1924 jaw INVENTOR.

' known as Creeping Patented Sept. 22, 1925.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT. OFFICE.

EDWIN C. LARRY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL RAILWAY SIGNAL COMPANY, 0'5 ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

SWITCH FITTING.

Application filed January 7, 1924. Serial No. 684,780. i

To all rehmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN C. LARRY, a citizen of the United States of America, re siding at Rochester, in the county of M onroc and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch Fittings, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention relates to the construction of parts or fittings securely holding together and bracing the switch points and for operating and locking such points of railway switches.

Switch fittings of this kind are subjected to severe stresses, heavy jolts and jars by passing trains, and averse weather conditions, so that it becomes a somewhat difficult problem to design an arrangement and combination of parts for switch fittings, which in practice afford the necessary degree of flexibility of certain parts especially in certain planes and the necessary rigidity of others, permits ready adjustment and withstands the hard uses to which they are subjected. A certain amount of flexibility is essential, because the movements of the rails at switch points from time. to time,

of the rails, and th displacement occurring in the regular ation of the points-requires such flexibility. on the other hand, it is important that the switch points he maintained rigid, especially as far as rolling of these points concerned, this being especially true 0']. a switch point when it is in the closed position. It is also desirable to maintain a certain definite space between each pair of switch points, so as to bring the closing points in proper position For the ultimate positions of the switch, that is, so as to have the closed points tightly en 7 gaging its cooperating stock rail when in the closed position. Finally, it is very desirable from a practical standpoint to provide simple and effective means for adjusting the switch points, such adjustments being made in a way so as to make it permanent when once adjusted. In addition to these features, it is important to provide a structure for insulating the points of a single switch, or the pairs of points for a double slip switch so as to electrically segregate such points, so that the usual detector track circuit may be carried through the switch layout with a minimum amount of insulating material and the least possibility of derangement of parts.

Generally speaking the objects of the present invention are to provide a switch operating and locking structure which prevents the movable rails or switch points from rolling; is rugged, simple in construction, durable and readily accessible for adjustment; and is symmetrical so that a switch machine or other switch throwing mechanism may be applied to either side oi. the trackway; and constructed so that standardized parts may be used iii-either a single switch or a double slip switch. 7

Other objects, purposes and specific features of the invention will be pointed out in detail in the following description of the invention.

In describing the invention in detail refer ence will be made to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a plan View of a simple switch provided with a switch operating and looking structure embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the design shown in Fig. '1, showing the rails and switch points in section;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l. of a double slip switch provided with operating and locking structure embodying the pres ent invention; and

Fig. l is a view similar to Fig. device illustratedin Fig. 3.

Referring to the accompanying drawing the invention has been illustrated applied to the usual form or" simple single switch in Figs. 1 and 2, and has been shown applied to a double slip switchitor use in connection with track circuits in Figs. 3 and 4.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 there has been illustrated a usual form of railway tie 1 to which is fastened a tie or hearing plate 2 in any suitable manner. Crosswise of this tie plate are shown two rails 3 and 4; forming the usual stock rails for a single switch. Between the stock rails 3 and 4 are shown the ends of the movable rails 5 and 6, conveniently called switch points, connected together for operation and locking by suitable fixtures embodying the present invention.

To the left hand switch point 5 is connected a transverse rod 7 comprising a piece 2 oi the of flat iron, generally rectangular in cross section, by bolts 8 passing through slots) in the end of this transverse rod, these slots 9 being provided so that a certain amount of adjustment longitudinally ofthe raid is possible. Thistransverse rod .7 :extends on edge parallel to the rail from whence it is bent at right angles and downwardly and then horizontally, so as to be disposed edgewise through out its entire length. The other end of this transverse rod 7 is again bent at right angles in a horizontal plane andprovided with a hole adapted to receive the threaded end of the lock rod 10.

The transverse rod 11 is similarly disposed on edge and bent downwardly and back on itself substantially in the form of a U, it also being disposed on edge throughout its length. The other end of this transverse rod 11 is similarly bent at right angles inn horizontal plane and is provided with twoholes, one for receiving the threaded end of the loci: rod heretofore mentioned and the other for accommodating the threaded end of the lock rod12.

These look rods 10 and 12 provided with locking notches, the one being provided with a notch 13 for locking the switch points when in one extreme position, and the other lock rod being provided with a locknoteh 14 for locking the switch points when in the other extreme position, suitable clearing notches 15 and 16 being preferably provided so as to afford a certain amount of adjustment lengthwise between these two lock rods without interference of the clearing notches with the locking notches. The transverse rods 7 and 11 are connected by a bolt 17 passed through a hole in the transverse rod 11 and a slot in the other trans verse rod 7, so that a certain amount of adjustment transverse of the trackway between these two rods is possible. The free end of the lock rods are bifurcated and are provided with a bolt 18 for securely holding them together.

By looking at Fig. 1 it will be noted that each lock rod is separately connected to a transverse rod which in turn is'bolted to a switch point. This construction, permits separate adjustment between a switohpoint and the locking notch in the corresponding lock rod so that each locking notch may be properly positioned with respect to itscorresponding switch point, after which the transverse rods and lock rods may be readily fastened together as shown. Also, it will be noted that the transverse rods are disposed edgewise through out their entire double slip switch.

ing mechanisms illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is easily accessible a d of simple construction, so that adjustment of the parts may be conveniently made from time to time, thus providing a construction comparatively simple to install. adjust and maintain but rugged and easy to manufacture.

In Figs. 3 and 1 has been shown a construction similar to Fig. 1 but applied to a In this embodiment of the invention has been illustrated a tie 1 provided with two bearing or tie plates 2 and 2 On each of these tie plates rests a pair of stock rails forn'iing the right and left hand rails respectively of two different railway traek pol ions. These stock rails have cooperating switch points similar to the stock rails in Fig. 1 but in the construction shown in Fig. 8 the switch points both engage the corresponding side of the stock rails, so that both of the points are closed at the same time; whereas only one of the switch points is closed at one time in the construction shown in Fig. 1. associated with the tech rails on the two tie plates in Fig. 3 are substantially the same as the transverse rods shown in Fig. 1, these rods have been given the same reference characters with distinctive exponents. It may be observed at this time that the transverse rods shown on the left hand half of Fig. 3 are the same as those shown on the right hand half of this figure except that the ends fastened to theswitch points of one of these sets of transverse rods are bent in the opposite direction to that ofsimilar ends in the other set and on account of this similarity in these transverse rods they have been given the same reference characters with distinctive exponents. Also, there is a Since the transverse rods slight difference between the shape of the long transvere rod 7 shown in the right hand portion of Fig. 3 fromthat of the long transverse rod? shown in Fig. 1 that is the left hand end of thetransverse rods 7 and 7 are different whereas the left hand ends of washers of the usual construction as shown? These plates are mechanically connected together by a rod u3 threaded on both ends and provided with the usualnuts and lock nuts, so that the distance between these plates maybe fixed and after the proper adjustment has been determined these plates anay be rigidly fastened together. In the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the switch machine, or other suitable switch tion between a series of switch points, in

which the adjustment is of the micrometer or infinitesimal type, and including the necessary insulation to insulate switch points of opposite polarity from each other. This rigid construction resides primarily in the provision of rods which are disposed entirely edgewise with respect to the trackway, so that rolling or twisting of the switch points is practically impossible. The particular arrangement for insulating the transverse rodsot .thedouble slip switch arrangement from each other comprises two insulating joints in series, so that thetailure or either of these oints does not cause fail are of the insulation altogether.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4 it is apparent that the switch machine or other switch operating mechanism may be located on either side of the railway track by merely interchanging the threaded rod 24 and the block rods 10 and 12 The various parts of the switch operating and locking fittings shown are constructed of standard fiat iron bent in the particular shapes shown and are fastened together by bolts of ordinary andwell-known construction, so that the various parts may be readily replaced and readjusted.

In the particular arrangement of switch fittings shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a separate connection has been shown from each oithe two switch points to its corresponding loci; notch. It should be noted that a small or narrow lock notch isprovidedin each of the two lock rods 10 and 12 and that in line with these small or narrow lock notches in the adjacent rod are clearance notches to prevent interference with the locking means, these lock notches being engaged by the lock mechanism or the manually operable or power operated switching mechanism used to operate the notch. By looking at the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2 it is readily seen that the adjustment of the distance between switch points may be changed with out changing the adjustment between either switch point and its corresponding lock notch.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 3 and 4 a convenient arrangement of parts has been illustrated whereby the distance between lock notches can be changed as well as the adjustment between each lock notch and its corresponding two switch points, sothat the working switch points for either position of the switch may be tightly against their associated stock rails.

An arrangement of switch fittings has thus been provided which are constructed of standard stock material, bent and shaped so as to resist forces in certain planes and which are shaped alike in certain respects so that the same dies may be used to shape various parts of the structural. elements which appear somewhat different in the .drawings. Also, the various parts are adj ustably secured so that adjustment may be made by employing ordinary tools and with out diliiculty, each of the adjusting bolts or nuts being located at an accessible point.

Having thus shown and described several specific embodiments of the invention which have been shown to illustrate the nature 01 the invention rather than the scope thereof, it is desired to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the invention to any of the various switching arrangements encountered in practice without departing tromthe scope or the idea of means underlying the pres ent invention.

WVhat is desired to besecured by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a railway switch and fittings thereof, the combination of a pair of stock rails having a pair 015 switch points located therebetween, means extending transversely of said switch points and connecting them together including operating and locking means comprising,vtwo separate rods c011- nected respectively to each of said switch points and a separate member provided with a locking shoulder directly connected to each of said rods.

2. In a railway switch and fittings thereof, the combination of a pair of stock rails having a pair of switch points located therebetween means extending transversely of said switch points and connecting them together including operating and locking means comprising, a rod connected to one of said switch points and extending under a stock rail, a second rod connected to the other of said switch points and. extending under said stock rail, means directly connecting said two rods and separate locking means connected directly to each of said rods respectively.

3. In a railway switch and fittingsthereof; the COlTllJ'lDtLtlOn of a pair of stock rails having a pair oi? switch points located therebetween; means extending transversely of said switch points and connecting them together including operating and locking means comprising; two independent means each of general rectangular cross-sectional area each fastened to the side of its cor- 'between; means extending transversely of said switch points and connecting them together including operating and locking means comprising; two independent means each of general rectangular cross-sectional area, each of said means being fastened to the side of one of such switch points and extending down and theni a horizontal direction under one of said stock rails in amanner so that its entirelength is disposed on edge, each of said means having a lock rod provided with a locking shoulder directly connected thereto, and means for'connecting said two independent means together.

5. In a railway switch and fittings thereof; ,thecoinbination of a pair of stock rails having a pair of switch points located therebetween; means extending transversely of aid sw tch points and connecting them together including operating and locking means comprising; two independent transverse rods of general rectangular cross-sectional area one fastened to each of said switch points and each disposed edgewise and extending in a horizontal direction under one of said stock rails from whence the rods extend at right angle also disposed edgewise, a lock rod fastened adjustably to one of said cross rods and another look rod adjustably fastened to both of said transverse rods.

A double slip railway switch and lit tings thereof comprising; two pairs of stock rails and associated switch points, two independent pairs of transverse rods of general rectangular cross-sectional area, one

pair of said transverse rods being connected to two adjacent switch points from whence they extend edgewise downward and then horizontally outwardly under one of the outside stock rails, the other pair of transother switch points and similarly disposed with respect to the other outside stock rail, means for adjustably connecting the transverse rods of each pair together and means for mechanically adjustably connecting said two pairs of transverse rods together.

7. A double slip railway switch and fittings thereof comprising; two pairs of stock rails and QiSSOC1lt6Cl S\V1tCl1 points, two independent pairs of transverse rods of general rectangular cross-sectional area one pair of said transverse rods being connected to two adjacent switch points from whence they extend edgewise downward and then horizontally outwardly under one of the outside stock rails, the other pair of transverse rods being similarly connected to the other switch points and similarly disposed with respectto the other outside stock rail, means for adjustably connecting the transverse rods of each pair together, and means for mechanically connecting saidtwo pairs of transverse rods together but electrically iiisnlating them from each other, said last mentioned means including means for adjusting the spacing between said two pairs of rods.

S. A double slip railway switch and fittings thereof comprising, two pairs of stock rails arranged so that corresponding rails of two pairs are adjacenteach other, a switch point associated with each rail and means c for connecting said switch points together comprising, two transverse rods substant ally identical in shape and disposed edgewise throughout their entire length for con necting the left hand switch points together and extending toward the outside under one of said stock rails, two other transverse rods also disposed edgewise throughout their entire length connected to the other switch p'oints'and passing below the other o tsido stock rail, switch operating meansconnected to'and providing an adjustable connection between the first two vtransverse rods, means for ad ustably connecting the other two transverse rods together, and means for adjustahly connecting one rod of the first two transverse rods to one rod of the second mentioned transverse rods.

,9. A double slip railway switch and fittings thereof comprising, two pairs of stock i rails arranged so that corresponding rails of two pairs are ad acent each other, a switch POIDlZ aSSOCULtGCl with each rail; and

means foifcoiinecting said switch points together comprising, two transverse rods sub stantially identical in shape and disposed edgewise throughouttheir entire length for connecting the left ;hand switch points together and extending toward ,the outside under one of said stock rails, two other transverse ,rods also d sposed edgewise throughout their entirelength connected to verse rods being similarly connected to the, the other switch points and passing below the other outside stockrail, switch operating neans connected to and providing an adone red of the first two transverse rods to one rod of the second mentioned transverse rods but insulating them from each other.

10. In a railway switch and fittings therefor, the combination of a pair of stock rails having a pair of switch points located there.-

between, means extending transversely of said switch points and connecting them together comprising; two independent transverse rods, one fastened to each of said switch points and each extending in a horizontal direction under one of said stock rails; two lock rods adjustabiy secured adjecent each other each having a locking notch therein and e cut-away portion for exposing the locking notch in the adjacent lock rod; means for adjustably securing one of said lock rods to one of said transverse rods and means for edjustabiy securing the other of said lock rods to both of said transverse rods; whereby either of said switch points may be independently adjusted relative to the other switch point and to the two lock rods.

In testimony whereof I hereby aflix my signature.

EDVJIN O. LARRY. 

